Posts Tagged Guayabitos

Premier Lugar

Posted on March 25, 2010 by 12 Comments

Sunday morning we packed up the bus and headed over to the show. The main street to the town square was closed and we took a detour and started following all the other VWs. They must know where to go.

By the time we got close, we realized we were in line to register and we couldn’t really turn around. Oh well, at least we would get a good place to park and a T-shirt, we thought. And, it’s a good thing we washed the bus.

DSC_0759 DSC_0782

We were directed through big crowds right into the center of the town square. We did get a good parking spot next to all the other buses, but it was clear that there was no way we were leaving until it was all completely over. Oh well. A good excuse to test out the solar-powered fridge (it worked great!)

The show was fun. There were more Safaris (Things) than I have ever seen in one place and they were all in stellar condition. Of course, tons and tons of Vochos (Bugs) of all variations. Massive sound systems was a common theme. Lot’s of custom cars, a swap meet and tons of VW lovers everywhere. There was no discriminating here and there were plenty of water-cooled VW’s too. If you wanted to show off your customized Jetta, there was a place for you too.

DSC_0878 DSC_0846

DSC_0819 DSC_0839

DSC_0915 DSC_0772

One guy (Juan) drove his water-cooled VW taxi 10 hours from Mexico City and entered it in the show. A regular taxi – not a show car fake taxi – just a taxi that he drives every day. If there was a category for it, I hope he won.

There weren’t too many trailer queens (there were some) and it was mostly just regular folks showing off their cars. This was their one car that they drive every day and love. It makes for a different atmosphere and probably more fun than a bunch of guys obsessing over obscure VW manufacturing minutia or trying to keep people from leaving fingerprints on their show car. Of course, there was probably some of that too, but it was all in Spanish.

DSC_0828 DSC_0790

DSC_0879 DSC_0816

DSC_0777 DSC_0770

We just hung out all day and met some great folks and made more contacts in Mexico. We managed to communicate with just about everyone, but we really need to learn more Spanish. We were also interviewed for a Guadalajara TV show. If anyone sees it on TV or finds it online, please let us know. The minute the interview ended, I couldn’t remember anything I said. I hope it wasn’t too bad.

DSC_0896 DSC_0862

DSC_0855 DSC_0776

Late in the afternoon, we were still hanging around and talking to some folks when someone came running up to us. “You won! You won! Go! Go! Go!”  There was a guy talking on the P.A. the whole time, but we couldn’t understand any of it. Not knowing what to do (and having everything we own in the car) we asked the people we just met to watch our stuff and ran up to the gazebo. On the way, I passed Alfredo from PV who was on his was to find us too.

First place for Westfalia!

Another guy we met, Juan (another Juan,) leaned over and told me to stick around a while longer. A bit later I thought I heard my name again and something about driving all over the Americas. I looked around dumbfounded and was waved up on stage again.

First place in “Especial!”

I couldn’t really understand what the special category was, but I’m guessing it was for driving the farthest to get to the show or craziest trip or something like that.

I’ve been fortunate enough to win a few awards for miscellaneous forgettable things over the years, but never… never have I gotten to pose with scantily-clad women after receiving an award.

I will remember this one for a long time!

DSC_0902 DSC_0922

Tags: ,

Filed Under: Nayarit

Guayabitos

Posted on March 24, 2010 by 4 Comments

We continued to back-track and headed north to Rincon de Guayabitos. Aside from hearing good things about the town, we’d been told my multiple people that we had to go to the big VW show.

Guayabitos is a pretty cool place and not your normal gringo vacation destination. It’s a normal Mexican vacation destination. That’s what makes it so cool. It’s built up for tourism, but mostly for weekenders from Guadalajara and other inland cities. Each weekend they come from all over Mexico and take the place over. During the week, you’ve got it to yourself.

DSC_0624 DSC_0629
We found a beach-side hotel that let us camp in their parking lot and use their facilities. This place was oozing with old-school charm and long-faded grandeur. We were camped just a few steps from a tranquil pool and a few more steps to a completely packed beach. Starting on Friday afternoon and throughout the weekend, the beach was absolutely filled to capacity and everyone was having a good time.

DSC_0633 DSC_0634

There were still tons of vendors on the beach, but this time they were selling practical necessities instead of the PV tourist junk. Coco frio? Si si. Fish on a stick? Bueno. Giant blow-up floaty things? Bode wanted one, but maybe next time.

DSC_0636 DSC_0638

By the time Saturday afternoon rolled around, we were done with the beach and went a few blocks into town to check out the festivities. We heard the show started at 5 pm. At 5, we heard that 5 really meant 8 and that it was just a big cruise and street party.

By early evening, most every block had vintage VW’s parked up and down it and people were all over the streets. There was a wedding that afternoon and I had to wonder if the bride was aware of her timing. No word on whether or not she left in a VW limo, but I doubt it. It was a big production with a huge reception on the beach that night with multiple bands, a Jumbotron(?) and fireworks. If you’re interested, the bridesmaids wore orange and red.

DSC_0661 DSC_0666

DSC_0687 DSC_0690

We wandered the streets and talked to all sorts of nice folks and found out that the actual show started at 9 am Sunday morning. We figured that really meant 11.

The streets kept getting packed and the cruise started. I don’t know if it’s a regular Saturday night thing or not, but all sorts of other custom cars showed up too. Low-riders with hydraulics and neon and such. Most people seemed to stick to the sidewalks and cheered when a VW drove by and jeered when any non-VW drove by. It was pretty funny and all good-spirited.

DSC_0708 DSC_0717

Later, the burn outs and testosterone-stroking started and we took it as our cue to leave. It was about 9 pm that night, and we could tell things might start to get out of hand. Safety wasn’t really an issue so much as just not wanting to be around so many people that had been drinking in the sun all day. There are only so many things we’re ready to explain to a four year old.

DSC_0735 DSC_0743

We learned all sorts of other stuff that night.

If you drive a dune buggy or any sort of vehicle with large tires, you absolutely MUST park with one tire over the curb. This is essential to promote your coolness.

Those bikini girls you see in car magazines draped all over the cars? They seem to be walking around for hire. They have a handler and everything. We have no idea what it costs, but Angela was the first to suggest we should hire them for some photos with Red Beard. We didn’t.

You can comfortably fit 7 guys in a VW Thing (Safari.)

You think a VW bug is small? You can make it WAY smaller.

Tags: ,

Filed Under: Nayarit